Men aggressing against men

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Abstract

Bias-motivated aggression continues to have deleterious effects on society. Past research has identified perpetrator prejudice and victim nonconformity as risk factors for aggressive behavior. The current study sought to investigate effects of pepetrator sexual prejduice and masculine gender conformity on aggression toward men based on sexual orientation and gender expression. One hundred two undergraduate men participated in a competitive reaction-time task, during which they had an opportunity to shock an ostensible opponent as a measure of aggression. Participants were assigned to one of four opponent conditions (masculine, gay man; feminine, gay man; masculine, heterosexual man; feminine heterosexual). Analyses revealed perpetrator masculinity as a consistent predictor of aggressive behavior. Results also indicated that heterosexual men’s femininity increased risk of victimization. Findings are discussed in terms of heterosexual men’s nonconformity and in-group/out-group dynamics.